Walk for Life to be held today

Event is a fund-raiser for the Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center

Trevor Archer, 12, was $2 short of raising $600 Friday night for the Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center's Walk for Life. By the start of the walk at 10 a.m. today, he'll probably have far surpassed that amount, said his mother, Robin Lambert.

Lambert worked for the center for many years and said she was excited that Trevor has taken such an interest in raising money. He managed to gather his support in a mere three days by hitting up neighbors, friends and area businesses. Lambert's steady salesmanship helped convince hesitant supporters.

A friend at church asked Trevor to join the walk and he agreed, though he hopes to ride his in-line skates rather than walk the course from The Center of Craig to Loudy-Simpson Park.

Archer has a good chance of winning the prize for the most money raised, but that is yet to be seen, because no one has pre-registered for the event, said Sandi Billig, director of the center. Even if people have not gathered sponsors, a suggested minimum donation of $15 is all that is needed to register at 9 a.m. today.

Once walkers (and runners and skaters) reach the park, they will be treated with a drawing, prizes for top donation-getters, and a free barbecue lunch provided by Kum & Go, City Market, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.

The center's annual budget is $24,000 and Billig said she hopes to raise 25 percent of that today. The group's final fund-raiser of the year will be a chili supper (likely a cook-off) in November.

The center provides counseling to both men and women about abstinence, pregnancy, and issues related to raising children. The center also offers supplies, some free and others for loan or sale.

The center opposes abortion and volunteer peer counselors will advise men and women of their pregnancy options and the pros and cons of each. They will refer clients to the proper venues to pursue decisions such as taking the child to term for adoption or parenthood. Director Sandi Billig said that under no circumstances would they refer someone out for an abortion.